The NBA intends to explore potential expansion in the fall, once the new media rights deal is officially in place, commissioner Adam Silver suggested.
“We’re not quite done with our media deals yet, but once we are we will turn to consideration around expansion,” Silver told reporters. “I will say it is a bit more complicated than it is suggested sometime. Because, just think of the new media deals, for example, once they’re completed when you bring in new partners, you’re diluting those payments of course to teams. Sometimes it seems as if we’re printing money when we expand, but actually it is no different than selling equity in any business.
“I think there needs to be a fair amount of modeling with the league office working with existing owners and really thinking through the long-term prospects. Again, not just economically but also potential for dilution of talent.”
Seattle and Las Vegas are said to be the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to expansion. A few other cities are said to be in play as well.
It is believed that if and when the NBA does expand, it will do so by two to keep the number of teams even. One would be added to each conference — or if both are added to the same conference, a current team would shift.
At this point, of course, it’s all speculation.
“Having said that, I think we will engage this fall in earnest in the process of making those determinations,” Silver said. “Should we expand? And if we were to expand, how many teams should we expand? And what markets should we be looking at?”
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